Association Of South Africa Research Articles

A model-based approach to estimating the prevalence of disease combinations in South Africa

BackgroundThe development of strategies to better detect and manage patients with multiple long-term conditions requires estimates of the most prevalent condition combinations. However, standard meta-analysis tools are not well suited...

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on Metformin therapy at a single centre in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract Introduction: Metformin is a first-line oral hypoglycaemic agent for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies suggest that metformin use is associated with B12 deficiency. There is a paucity of data regarding this association in South Africa. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of B12 deficiency in a South African cohort of T2DM patients on metformin therapy. Methods: The study was a retrospective clinical audit of patients recruited from a medical outpatient setting. A consecutive sampling technique was employed; T2DM patients who were 40 years or older and on metformin for a minimum of 6 months were recruited. B12 deficiency was defined as severe (<150 pmol/L), moderate (150–169 pmol/L) or mild (170–200 pmol/L). Results: One hundred and one (n = 101) patients were enrolled, most of whom were females (65%). The prevalence of B12 deficiency was 14.9%, with most patients in the mild category. The majority of B12 deficient patients were female (67%), elderly (70.2 ±10.7 years) and of Coloured race (67%). The median duration of metformin use in B12 deficient and non-deficient patients was 10.9 (6–13) and 7 (3–12) years respectively (p =0.179). The median metformin dosage was 1700 mg. Older age (Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 6.67 (1.16–38.3), p = 0.033) and Coloured race (AOR 7.8(1.78–34.2) p = 0.006) were associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: In our setting, vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent amongst T2DM patients on metformin therapy. Older age and the novel finding of Coloured race were associated with B12 deficiency. We recommend screening for B12 deficiency amongst T2DM patients on metformin therapy.

Exploring Pedagogical Dissonance in including Acupuncture Treatment Approach into A Western Biomedical Evidence-based Physiotherapy Curriculum

Background: In the past several years, acupuncture has been used more often to manage pain, either in conjunction with other therapies or as a complementary treatment. Evidence also points to a rise in physiotherapists’ interest in acupuncture. Main Objectives: The goal of performing a cross-sectional survey was to identify the characteristics of physiotherapists who use acupuncture in their relevant practice and also to explore what views participants had regarding the inclusion of acupuncture in the physiotherapy curriculum. Methodology:: A quantitative cross-sectional survey methodology was used in the investigation. Through pilot studies and expert input, an online survey was developed and validated. The South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP), the Physiotherapy Association of South Africa (PASA), and the Emirates Physiotherapy Society (EPS) used email and social media to distribute the questionnaire to physiotherapists in order to gather data. These countries were specifically chosen based on language and researcher familiarity with the organizations. One hundred eighty-one physiotherapists who were members of the appropriate professional associations in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates were included in the study as a convenient sample. Active physiotherapists who have treated patients within the previous six months and consented to take the survey were eligible to participate. The study had no exclusion criteria. Conclusion:: The survey had varied results, although most respondents recognized the value of acupuncture in the practice of physiotherapy. However, the majority of participants did not think that physiotherapy alone is ineffective. Overall, the survey results showed that some respondents preferred postgraduate acupuncture education over including acupuncture in undergraduate education. Notably, despite the majority of physiotherapists having bachelor’s degrees, the survey data showed that many of them possessed practical experience in acupuncture.

The Right to Freedom of Association and the Protection of Employees against Victimisation in the Workplace

This article deals with employees' right to freedom of association and their protection against victimisation when exercising this right in the workplace. First it explains the concepts of "freedom of association" and "victimisation". It then considers the protection of employees against victimisation for exercising the right to freedom of association internationally and domestically, however, only in the employment context. It considers the protection of the right to freedom of association in South Africa in terms of the Constitution and its regulation under various sections of the LRA. It also looks at limitations on the right to freedom of association and the remedies available to employees who experience victimisation because of exercising this right. It further considers the regulation of the right to freedom of association in the UK. It argues that although this right is well protected internationally and domestically, employees still experience victimisation as a result of exercising it. It further argues that the protection of this right and its exercise by employees is necessary to bring a balance to an uneven relationship between employers and employees in the workplace. It concludes that trade unions together with employers have a responsibility to ensure that employees exercise their constitutional right to freedom of association with no fear of victimisation.

Prevalence and risk factors of M tuberculosis infection in young people across 14 communities in Zambia and South Africa.

From 2018-2021 the TB Reduction through Expanded Antiretroviral Treatment and TB Screening (TREATS) project took place in 21 Zambian and South African communities. The TREATS Incidence of TB Infection Cohort Study was conducted in adolescents and young people (AYP), aged 15-24 years in 14 communities. We describe the baseline prevalence and risk factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection among this cohort and explore the quantitative QFT-Plus interferon gamma (IFN-γ) responses. A random sample of approximately 300 AYP per community were recruited and information on TB/HIV risk factors, TB symptoms and social mixing patterns collected. QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus assay (QFT-Plus) was used to detect M. tuberculosis infection, following manufacturer's instructions. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with infection. 5577 eligible AYP were invited to participate across both countries, with 4648 enrolled. QFT-Plus results were available for 4529: 2552(Zambia) and 1977(South Africa). Overall, 47.6% (2156/4529) AYP had positive QFT-Plus results, the prevalence of infection in South Africa being twice that in Zambia (64.7% (1280/1977) vs 34.3% (867/2552) p<0.001). Infection was associated with age, household contact with TB and alcohol in Zambia but showed no associations in South Africa. The antigen tube differential (TB2-TB1>0.6 IU/ml) of the assay at baseline showed no evidence of association with recent TB exposure. The high prevalence of infection in AYP warrants urgent action to address TB control, especially in South Africa. Further research is required to delineate antigen tube responses of the QFT-Plus assay more precisely to fully realise the benefit of the additional TB2 tube in high TB/HIV burden settings.

Racial identity as a moderator of the association between socioeconomic status and quality of life

Research in social and humanitarian science has identified socioeconomic status (SES) as one of the essential determinants of quality of life (QoL). Similarly, racial identity is assumed to predict SES outcomes in multiracial settings. Therefore, understanding how racial identity moderates the association between SES and QoL may provide essential insights into the mechanisms generating socioeconomic inequalities and their implication on life outcomes. The current study employs a cross-sectional study designed to investigate the moderating effect of racial identity on the association between SES and QoL in a sample of 1,049 South Africans. A correlation matrix was computed to explore the bivariate associations between QoL, socioeconomic, and sociodemographic features. ANOVA was used to evaluate racial differences in QoL and SES. A moderator analysis was adopted to determine a possible moderating effect of racial identity on the connection between SES and QoL. Findings show a significant difference in QoL and SES based on race. While racial identity was a significant moderator of the association between QoL and SES for Black Africans, no significant moderating effect was reported for other racial groups. These results highlight the importance of racial identity for life outcomes and emphasis the unique experience associated with Black racial identity and its implications for SES, QoL, and their association in South Africa. This study explains the necessity to improve the QoL of minority groups, such as Black South Africans, and offers detailed explanations of their perceived disadvantage.

LIVING WITH ALBINISM IN SOUTH AFRICA: UNCOVERING THE HEALTH CHALLENGES FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has acknowledged that persons with albinism face the highest risk of developing skin cancer. While information concerning their susceptibility to cancer is very important, CANSA observed that such information is communicated to persons with albinism at a very late stage, especially those living in rural areas of South Africa. The Albinism Society of South Africa has revealed that the national health system has failed to adequately consider and take into account the health care needs of persons living with albinism. Very few persons with albinism have access to sunglasses with a high UV protection screen to relieve light sensitivity, or to preventative services such as dermatological skin checks, eye checks and eye corrections. This article establishes that the specialised health intervention required by persons with albinism is not prioritised in South Africa’s health care plan. The author argues that a well-timed intervention into the health needs of persons with albinism will have a penetrative influence on the fate of a small yet significant population. The recognition of the right of access to health care in the South African Constitution affords persons living with albinism the right to challenge the government’s failure to provide them with essential health care services and health accessories. This article also discusses the pertinent clinical aspects of albinism, with the aim of contextualising the legal discussion in the rest of the article.

Symposium 2: COVID-19 Experiences Around the World

The presentation gives an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. It discusses the 1st, 2nd and 3rd waves, including the current new COVID-19 variant B1.1.529 and the 4th predicated wave. It also discusses the South African government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Muslims in South Africa make up 3% of South Africa's population of nearly 60 million. It further examines the COVID- 19 statistics in the Muslim community, the Muslim response in the relief efforts, and focusing on the response of the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) in the efforts to combat the virus and improve the survival rates.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2022 Page: S9

The Shared Pleasure Paradigm: A study in an observational birth cohort in South Africa

Mother–infant dyads in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be exposed to a range of factors associated with suboptimal development. Optimal infant development is likely supported by synchronicity in the early mother–infant relationship, but limited corroborative research is available in LMICs. The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS) provided an opportunity to study this synchronicity and its associations in South Africa. A South African birth cohort study investigating early-life determinants of child health in a LMIC context provided participants. The Shared Pleasure (SP) paradigm helped assess early mother–infant synchronicity in videos of a sub-set of 291 mother–infant dyads at their 14-week well baby visit. General linear regression models investigated the relationship between selected maternal and infant characteristics and the presence of Shared Pleasure moments. Out of a possible 291 dyads, 82% (n = 239) yielded Shared Pleasure moments. The mean age of mothers was 27 years, while infant sex distribution comprised 54% females and 46% males. The shortest single Shared Pleasure moment lasted at least 0.5 s and the longest 28 s. Shared Pleasure moments were associated with higher gestation age at delivery (p = 0.008) and higher infant birth weight (p = 0.006), but were not related to mother's mental health and infant health outcomes at 14 weeks. The high frequency of positive Shared Pleasure moments in reciprocal dyadic interactions in this sample suggests that significant disruption in shared pleasure may be present only in extreme cases (e.g. mothers with severe mental disorders). Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the associations between early mother–infant synchronicity and better outcomes noted here, and to assess whether SP may serve as a culturally appropriate screen for assessing connectedness.

THE “DEFERENCE” OF JUDICIAL AUTHORITY TO THE STATE*

The adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (hereinafter “the Constitution”), provided an opportune moment for the courts, especially the Constitutional Court to ensure an appropriate balance in the development of the principles and values of the doctrine of separation of powers vis-à-vis those of judicial review. The Constitution is framed in a manner that entrenches a system of checks and balances (this is deduced from the manner in which the various chapters of the Constitution are structured, dealing with the roles of the legislature, executive and the judiciary). This system gives the general public a legislative and executive authority that is accountable to them subject to judicial review by an independent judiciary. The system of checks and balances affirms the limited power of the legislative and executive authorities which is confined within the constraints of constitutional values and principles. The importance of checks and balances is similarly endorsed by Edwards as a system that has ushered in a new process of the regulation of state authority in the new dawn of democracy. This system envisages a move away from a culture of authority of the apartheid rule to one of justification of the new constitutional dispensation. He substantiates his argument by pointing out that the new process of regulating state authority has enabled the courts to educate other branches of government through principled and robust articulations of the foundational and constitutional values of the Constitution in a democratic society. Against this background, the purpose of this note is to provide a brief overview of the Merafong Demarcation Forum v President of the Republic of South Africa (2008 (10) BCLR 968, hereinafter “Merafong”) judgment. The particular emphasis on this judgment is its potential to defer the judicialauthority (which the author refer to as a “political doctrine”) to the state. The objective is to analyse this doctrine and evaluate it against the development of substantive principles of judicial review. This purpose is motivated by Chaskalson CJ’s argument in Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of South Africa: In re Ex Parte President of the Republic of South Africa (2000 (3) BCLR 241). Chaskalson CJ in this case held that the Constitutional Court cannot allow itself to be diverted from its main function as the final andindependent arbiter in the contest between the state and its citizens. In Merafong, the court created an impression of having misconstrued this purpose and the objectives it has to fulfil. This note is limited to the “political approach” which the court emphasisedwithout much thought, and attempt to address the question of public involvement in legislative processes raised in this case. It alsoacknowledges that the court has affirmed its independence as the guardian of the Constitution in the regulation of state authority and advancement of the principles of judicial review, but its lack of consistency in its adopted approach is a worrying factor and a causefor concern for the regulation of state authority.

THE IMPACT OF THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION REGULATIONS, 2009, ON THE SALE AND LEASE OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY

The Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, made by the Minister of Labour in terms of section 43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 constitute yet another attempt on the part of the South African authorities to regulate the installation and use of electrical installations in buildings. The Regulations, published in terms of R 242 in Government Gazette 31975 of 6 March 2009,supersede the Electrical Installation Regulations, 1992, made by the Minister of Manpower in terms of section 35 of the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act 6 of 1983. They came into operation on 1 May 2009, with the exception of regulation 5(6) which took effect on 1 April 2010. The 2009 Regulations, like those they replace, impose certain substantive duties on users, lessors and installers of electrical installations. Of particular importance for property owners and lessors is the responsibility for the electrical installation on a property, and the duty to have a valid certificate of compliance in respect of such installation. The old Regulations did not describe these responsibilities and duties in clear terms, resulting in considerable confusion and uncertainty. Disappointingly, the new Regulationsare only marginally better in this regard. The Department of Labour has published explanatory notes on the Regulations, but they do little more than merely citing each regulation and stating that it is selfexplanatory. The Regulations were preceded by a number of drafts which, reportedly, elicited “acrimonious debate”, even the possibility of litigation involving the Electrical Contractors’Association of South Africa and the Department of Labour. However, the main points of dispute were not so much the impact of the Regulations on the sale and lease of immovable property but revolved around issues affecting the electrical contracting industry and its stakeholders. This note focuses on the requirements to be met in terms of the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, in relation to the sale and lease of immovable property, residential premises in particular. To place the discussion in perspective it is firstly necessary to examine briefly the objective and scope of the Regulations, having regard to certain key definitions contained in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Regulations. Any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act has the samemeaning for the purposes of the Regulations.

Perception of agricultural drought resilience in South Africa: A case of smallholder livestock farmers.

Worldwide drought has significance and continues to pose long-lasting effects on the agricultural sector, including South Africa. The recurring drought is a major challenge to smallholder livestock farmers in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. This study assesses the perception of smallholder livestock farmers towards agricultural drought resilience. The study utilised a perception index score using primary data collected from 207 smallholder livestock farmers following a structured questionnaire survey and multistage sampling procedures. The study found that the average perception index of the role of social networks and government to enhance agricultural drought resilience was negative, which implied that their role in enhancing resilience towards agricultural drought was insufficient. However, the perception of smallholder livestock farmers on the role of social networks was lower than the role of government. This study recommends coordination and cooperation amongst all role players to reinforce strategies to enhance smallholder livestock farmers’ resilience. This includes coordinator amongst the local, provincial government, African Farmers’ Association of South Africa, extension officers, private sectors, monitoring agencies in terms of reliable early warning information and communication amongst decision-makers. Collaboration amongst government departments at the national and provincial levels should be strengthening to enhance farmer’s resilience. The collaboration includes the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the national level, Provincial Departments of Agriculture, National and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, South African Weather Service and Department of Water Affairs. Smallholder livestock farmers’ awareness of the significance of social networking and government participation should be promoted.

Challenges and opportunities for spiritual care practice in hospices in a middle-income country

BackgroundSpiritual care is a key component of palliative care, but it has been overlooked and understudied in low- and middle-income country contexts, especially in Africa. In this study we sought to establish what the current spiritual care practices are in hospice palliative care settings in South Africa with a focused view on what spiritual care training is currently offered and what training needs still remain unmet.MethodsWe explored spiritual care practices, and training needs, through a national quantitative online study of palliative care organisations in South Africa registered with the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa. A survey was sent to representatives of all member organisations listed on the national database of Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa. Viable data from 41% (n = 40) member organisations were analysed through the use of simple statistics.ResultsAn expressed need (75%; n = 30) was recorded for the development of a national spiritual care curriculum. Although 48% (n = 20) of the member organisations were willing to participate in the development of a spiritual care curriculum, 37% (n = 14) could not participate, citing financial (n = 27), time (n = 31) and expertise constraints (n = 22). A set of hard and soft skills were suggested to suit the diverse South African context.ConclusionsSpiritual care was seen by participants as a key component of palliative care. International curricula in spiritual care, while useful, do not offer easy adaptation to the diversities of South Africa. A bespoke spiritual care curriculum was called for, for diverse South Africa.

Further notes on the first Classical Association of South Africa

Further notes on the first Classical Association of South Africa

Further Notes on the First Classical Association of South Africa

Further Notes on the First Classical Association of South Africa

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

“A doctor can save maybe a few hundred lives in a lifetime. A researcher can save the whole world.” - Craig Venter This annual Special Edition once again combines outstanding papers from two conferences: The 32nd annual conference of the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering (SAIIE32) (4-6 October 2021, held in Muldersdrift, South Africa), The 22nd annual international conference of the Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) (3-5 November 2021, held in Pretoria, South Africa). After the first on-line conferences in 2020 due to COVID-19 regulations, it was excellent to see a return to some normality in 2021 – both these conferences were physical, and the participants were truly hungry for the physical networking opportunities. The Special Edition, introduced in 2016, continues to showcase the best research presented at these conferences. Papers undergo the same double-blind peer review process using the journal’s criteria; and the choice of those included in this Special Edition was based on rankings provided by the reviewers and on a final check of their quality and suitability by the editors of the journal. It was interesting to notice that, in 2020, both conferences focused on the road ahead after the period of uncertainty, with the following two themes: SAIIE32: Steps, and RAPDASA: Industry 4.0 – Digital manufacturing industrializing Africa. It demonstrates the resilience of humankind, and the drive to move forward. For this very reason, the feature article as selected by the chief editor, was authored by young Industrial Engineers, looking forward at what the future may hold, with the title: “Beyond The Industrial Engineering Frontier: A Few Steps In History And A Giant Leap Into The Future”. Although industrial engineers are a relatively small community of professionals, I am always inspired by the relevant, innovative, and far-reaching impact that we can have on every aspect of our society. As you read through the papers in this Special Edition, I trust that you will be inspired by the exemplary work that represents our discipline of industrial engineering. Teresa Hattingh Guest editor

Preoperative anaemia and clinical outcomes in the South African Surgical Outcomes Study.

In high-income countries, preoperative anaemia has been associated with poor postoperative outcomes. To date, no large study has investigated this association in South Africa (SA). The demographics of SA surgical patients differ from those of surgical patients in the European and Northern American settings from which the preoperative anaemia data were derived. These associations between preoperative anaemia and postoperative outcomes are therefore not necessarily transferable to SA surgical patients. The primary objective was to determine the association between preoperative anaemia and in-hospital mortality in SA adult non-cardiac, non-obstetric patients. The secondary objectives were to describe the association between preoperative anaemia and (i) critical care admission and (ii) length of hospital stay, and the prevalence of preoperative anaemia in adult SA surgical patients. We performed a secondary analysis of the South African Surgical Outcomes Study (SASOS), a large prospective observational study of patients undergoing inpatient non-cardiac, non-obstetric surgery at 50 hospitals across SA over a 1-week period. To determine whether preoperative anaemia is independently associated with mortality or admission to critical care following surgery, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis that included all the independent predictors of mortality and admission to critical care identified in the original SASOS model. The prevalence of preoperative anaemia was 1 727/3 610 (47.8%). Preoperative anaemia was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.657, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.055 - 2.602; p=0.028) and admission to critical care (OR 1.487, 95% CI 1.081 - 2.046; p=0.015). Almost 50% of patients undergoing surgery at government-funded hospitals in SA had preoperative anaemia, which was independently associated with postoperative mortality and critical care admission. These numbers indicate a significant perioperative risk, with a clear need for quality improvement programmes that may improve surgical outcomes. Long waiting lists for elective surgery allow time for assessment and correction of anaemia preoperatively. With a high proportion of patients presenting for urgent or emergency surgery, perioperative clinicians in all specialties should educate themselves in the principles of patient blood management.

Inspiration, innovation and integration: highlights from the third ICPCN conference on children's palliative care, 30 May to 2 June 2018, Durban, South Africa.

The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) held its third international conference on children’s palliative care in Durban, South Africa, from May 30 2018 to 2 June 2018. The conference—inspiration, innovation and integration—brought together 250 participants from 41 countries and was held in conjunction with local partners—Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children, Palliative Treatment for Children South Africa (Patch SA) and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of South Africa. It built on national and global developments in palliative care such as its inclusion in Universal health coverage (UHC), the Lancet Commission report on pain and palliative care and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and aimed to raise the profile of children’s palliative care in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and nationally. Seven pre-conference workshops were held prior to the conference on topics such as pain and symptom management, children’s palliative care within a humanitarian crisis, perinatal palliative care, research, developing programmes, ethical issues and difficult conversations in children’s palliative care. Delegates were welcomed in true Durban style at the welcome reception hosted by the City of Durban and uShaka Marine World. The opening plenary included entertainment from the Open Air School and Hillcrest Primary School, and inspirational talks from the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chief Executive of ICPCN and the Noble Peace Prize Nominee Dr MR Rajagopal from Pallium India. Plenary sessions were interspersed throughout the conference with 56 oral concurrent presentations and workshops, six ‘Meet the expert sessions’ 100 poster presentations and the South African Premier of the film ‘Hippocratic: 18 Experiments in gently shaking the world’. There was a great feeling of networking and learning throughout the conference, with the conference being well evaluated, and an increase in the level of presentations and research from previous conferences demonstrating the steps that are being taken in children’s palliative care globally.

Work status, retirement, and depression in older adults: An analysis of six countries based on the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE)

The aim of the present study was to analyse the association between the occurrence of a major depressive episode among older adults and work status in low- and medium-income countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted with people 60 years of age and older from the six countries (Mexico, India, China, Russian Federation, Ghana and South Africa) included in the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) and who participated in its first wave (2009–2010). The occurrence of a major depressive episode (MDE) over the previous 12 months was determined based on an adaptation of the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. The association between current work status and the presence of an MDE was estimated using binary logistic regression models with country-level fixed effects, and interaction terms between the country and work status. Results showed the odds of presenting an MDE were lower for older adults who were retired with a pension than for those who were currently working, although this protective association was observed only for men in China (OR=0.23; CI 95%:0.08–0.70) and Ghana (OR=0.25; CI 95%:0.07–0.95) and for women in India (OR=0.05; CI 95%:0.01–0.51) and South Africa (OR=0.19; CI 95%:0.04–0.97). For women, being a homemaker also showed a protective association in South Africa (OR=0.09; CI95%:0.01–0.66) and Mexico (OR=0.32; CI95%:0.14–0.76). In the case of being retired without a pension, no significant association was found in any country. The previous indicates that retirement with pension has a protective association with MDE only for men in China and Ghana and women in India and South Africa. The heterogeneity of this association reflects cultural and socioeconomic differences between the analysed countries.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in commercially available cling film brands in South Africa

ABSTRACTCling films comprise of plasticizers which are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Cling films are commonly used for food packaging and EDCs may leach into food, increasing exposure, leading to adverse health outcomes. We determined the levels of common selected EDCs expected in commercial cling film brands sold in South Africa. We tested for para-nonylphenol (p-NP), bisphenol A (BPA), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), and phthalates [di-2-ethyhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and dibutylphthalate (DBP)]. We selected eight brands of cling film and used standard chromatography methods to extract compounds. We found p-NP in one brand (2.06 µg/kg) and BPA in two brands (1.48 and 1.61 µg/kg). Five brands contained DEHP (2.1–2.59 mg/kg), DBP (0.62–1.21 mg/kg) and DEHA (165.89–674.07 mg/kg). Levels of DEHA and DEHP in the cling film are associated with potential human health risks. The maximum level of DEHA ranged from 1.6 to 16 times the safe level, with a calculated hazard quotient of 1.4. The two cling film brands made from low density polyethylene (LDPE), both endorsed by the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), had target chemicals below the detection limit.